2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its bulk, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like appearance, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim, while the Sport trim had darkened accents. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, although its interior lacked a cohesive design theme, with a mix of leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique style and upscale image, despite being a minivan. The Carnival's SX Prestige trim, with its Astra Blue paint and decorative roof pillar trim, was particularly attractive. The interior featured dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, adding sophistication, while the dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light. The Carnival's interior materials were of high quality, and the robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality. However, the black alloy wheels were considered uninspired. Overall, the Carnival managed to combine style and functionality, making it a compelling choice in the minivan segment.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine delivered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) drivetrains. The Escalade's diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it an asset when pulling away from a stop. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less luxurious experience compared to unibody SUVs.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Carnival's powertrain was EPA-rated for 22 mpg in combined driving and offered up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. While the Carnival lacked all-wheel drive (AWD) and a hybrid powertrain, its V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated flawlessly, and the Carnival's brakes performed well in most situations, although they did fade during a mountain descent. The Carnival's ride quality was firm and sporty with a single occupant, but softened with a full load of passengers, providing a satisfying driving experience overall.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a cavernous cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. The standard Escalade measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended ESV version was 227 inches. The Escalade's cargo space was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, the raised center console provided limited storage space, and the front seats, despite being 12-way power adjustable with massage and lumbar support, felt similar to those in other GM SUVs.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, with its SUV-like driving position and center console arrangement, didn't feel like a typical minivan. The Carnival offered three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige trim featuring genuine leather, although it felt stiff. The Carnival's interior included a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, but they limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet and were not removable. The Carnival's third-row seat was spacious, with USB ports and cupholders, and the smart power liftgate revealed 40.2 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third row.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. The Escalade offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system. However, the infotainment system's carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, and the rotary controller seemed like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, mounted side-by-side under a single piece of glass. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing appearance based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate connected services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, but teenagers preferred their own devices.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist tech, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Escalade's Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, and Super Cruise was available as an option. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera to ensure attention. While the Escalade's safety features were impressive, the IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for this model year.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features added as you moved up the trim levels. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. The EX trim added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The IIHS named the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, but the NHTSA had not performed crash tests.